Four cities across the state have passed local resolutions supporting HB 303, the community energy bill - Lakewood, Wyoming, Cleveland Heights and Columbus. Ultimately the state legislature needs to vote to pass the bill to create the program. The Ohio House voted 77-8 to pass the bill in November. 

The Community Energy Pilot Program would provide opportunities to renters, condo owners, families, and small businesses access to local energy even if they can't install generation on their property. Customers could subscribe to community projects using solar, biomass, hydro, and other technologies, and receive credits on their electricity bills. Real savings coming from local power. With electricity bills climbing and data centers driving up demand, we need more homegrown energy fast. Community energy delivers—quickly connecting to the grid, boosting reliability, and keeping costs down. And because 24 other states are already doing this successfully, we know it works.

Ohio Citizen Action Chief Political Officer, Scott Palider, spoke with NBC4 Columbus as Columbus City Council passed their resolution on Monday March 23. He shared that for us, supporting this bill is about helping everyday Ohioans find some relief as the cost of living continues to rise.

While AEP issued a statement of opposition to the bill, we know that cost savings will benefit Ohioans across the state, whether or not they subscribe to a community energy project. An amendment added by the Ohio House of Representatives prior to their passing the bill prohibits cost-shifting onto non-participating consumers. By recognizing a diverse energy mix in the bill, solar, hydro, biomass, natural gas, and other sources all have a role to play in strengthening our energy resilience. 

House Bill 303 is a bipartisan effort and provides a framework for expanding access to local, reliable, and affordable energy. It's time for the Ohio legislature to pass this bill and give Ohioans the power to take control of their energy future.